A SERIES of regional chamber orchestras will be funded across Wales to bring small-scale classical music to alternative venues.

A row has broken out because the #150,000 annual grant is being handed out directly by the Assembly's culture department rather than through the Arts Council of Wales.

The cash will be split next financial year between an orchestra in Swan-sea, two more in the South, and one in the North.

Talks have already begun with Symphonia Cymru, based in Cardiff, and Ensemble Cymru, in the North.

Professional artists are worried that by-passing the arts council will enable politicians to deny funding for avant-garde art and activities not considered "politically correct".

The grant is said to be the first in Wales not handled according to the arms-length principle operated through the arts council - although Assembly culture officials say that #37m for the #104m Wales Millennium Centre is also being sent direct.

When the Chamber Orchestra of Wales, from Swansea and Carmarthen, announced that it would be the first recipient of the money - it has been given #20,000 in start-up funding for the current financial year - allegations were made that the grant had been given for political reasons.

Finance minister Edwina Hart, AM for neighbouring Gower, admitted she knew "a lot of the people involved from my days in the Youth Orchestra of Wales" - where she played viola.

Mrs Hart added, "I do not regard the arts council as a monopoly provider of grants."